The Preiss Company Recognized with Industry Impact Award

RALEIGH, NC – February 3, 2009 – The Preiss Company (“TPCO”), the largest provider of off-campus student housing at North Carolina State University, Clemson University, Auburn University in Alabama, and the University of Texas in Austin and the second largest provider at UNC Charlotte, was recently honored by Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network with their 2008 Impact Award. TPCO received Honorable Mention in the category of Industry Innovator at the organization’s annual convention and marketplace held October 15-18 in Houston.

For over 20 years, The Preiss Company has been a vehicle in providing women challenging and fulfilling careers in the real estate industry. Founded by Donna Preiss, TPCO’s development, sales, property management, human resources, and financial team are comprised 60% of women. Over the last several years, TPCO’s women executives have addressed several prominent national trade associations including NAA, NMHC, National CREW, and Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Company Executive Vice President and former TCREW President, Susan Folckemer, nominated her company for the award. Folckemer joined TPCO in 2003 and is responsible for oversight of the organizations Student Housing Division. Over the past several years, Susan has overseen the development and acquisition of over 8,000 multi-family beds and secured lending for over $350,000,000 in development and investment property. She is also responsible for all joint venture and partnership relationships in addition to new business development and Property Management Operations. Folckemer says that she is proud of her organization’s recent distinction and attributes a great deal of the company’s success to company CEO, Donna Preiss.

“I’m honored that our organization was recognized by CREW Network and am proud of Donna’s recent honor,” says Folckemer. “She is certainly an individual that leads by example and exemplifies the ideal that you can achieve success at any level, as long as you have the courage and fortitude to stand by your convictions and trust in yourself and your abilities.”

In addition to their CREW honor, The Preiss Company was also recently recognized by Triangle Business Journal as one of the Triangle’s Top Women-Owned Businesses. The company has made “The List” since 2005, which ranks businesses by the number of employees in the Triangle. TPCO founder, Donna Preiss, is honored by this recent distinction and says that being recognized by CREW reinforces her company’s long history of promoting and recognizing women within her organization.

“Being honored on a national level by an association like CREW is truly overwhelming,” says Preiss. “I’m fortunate to be surrounded by women, like Susan, who excel in their roles and are willing to share their knowledge and expertise to help other women in the real estate industry advance in their careers and make a positive difference.”

TPCO employs over 145 team members and provides a wide range of services including acquisition, property management, due diligence, construction management, development, and consulting for multi-family real estate investments. TPCO is currently the 12th largest off-campus student-housing provider in the nation with $350,000,000 in student housing property and acquisition. Since its inception, the company has formed over 50 partnerships and has been the developer or co-developer of over 20 projects stretching from Texas to Maryland.

About The Preiss CompanyFounded in 1987 by Donna Preiss, TPCO employs over 145 team members and provides a wide range of services including acquisition, property management, due diligence, construction management, development, and consulting for multi-family real estate investments. TPCO is currently the 12th largest off-campus student-housing provider in the nation with $350,000,000 in student housing property development and acquisition. Beginning its 22nd year, TPCO has formed over 50 partnerships and has been the developer or co-developer of over 20 projects stretching from Texas to Maryland. For more information, visit www.tpco.com.

About CREW Network:CREW Network is a professional association dedicated to advancing the success of women in commercial real estate, through chapter level functions, national conferences and ongoing education. In June 2007, CREW Network published its second research report, CREW Network: Minding the Gap, which articulates strategies for women and companies to take in order for commercial real estate to become more diverse.

The mission of CREW Network (www.crewnetwork.org) is to advance the success of women in commercial real estate. CREW Network does this by looking outward to bring more women into the industry, showcasing member successes and serving as a key resource to its members and the industry. CREW Network members represent all disciplines of commercial real estate - every type of expert required to "do the deal." Members comprise more than 8,000 commercial real estate professionals in 66 chapters across North America.